The other day I took my kids to one of our favorite hangouts in the world… Blaze Pizza.

We first discovered Blaze back in California, but it was always up against the undefeated champ: In-N-Out Burger.

And let’s be honest, In-N-Out won that battle every time.

But since moving to Palm Beach Gardens, and now living just 3.4 minutes away (I literally timed it), Blaze has officially taken the #1 spot for quick dining in the Taylor household.

So the other day, while we were waiting for our pizza, I noticed a couple who looked really familiar. I looked at them. They glanced back at me. I peered at them. They side-eyed me. After they ordered they walked past our table and I blurted out in curiosity,

“Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

They looked a little confused. “I don’t think so.”

“Really? You just look so familiar.”

So I ran through the mental Rolodex… Work? Little League? Church? Chiropractor convention? Neighbor? Did I treat your cousin’s plantar fasciitis in 2022?

Nothing.

Turns out this “definitely familiar” couple were… total strangers.

They walked off and our table went totally quiet.

Then my 7-year-old broke the silence by muttering just loud enough for us to hear:…

“AWWWWKK-WAAAAARD.”
(Exactly like that. Extra syllables and all.)

We all quietly burst out laughing, barely holding it together.

But I’m still glad I asked.

Did it make my kids cringe? Absolutely.

Would I do it again? Without question.

Because now I know I don’t know them and that mystery is off my plate.

The reality is we do the same thing with our health.

We feel something’s off: A nagging ache. Constant fatigue. Headaches that show up like clockwork. And digestion that’s, let’s just say…. inconsistent.

But instead of checking it out, we do what adults do best:
Ignore it. Downplay it. Push through.

And deep down, we wonder:
“Is this something I should take a closer look at?”

And that wondering, that not knowing, drains us more than just asking the question ever would.

Here’s the takeaway:

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your health is take the small risk & just ask.

Whether it’s a stranger at a pizza place or a symptom your body’s been whispering about for months, it’s better to know.

Sometimes peace of mind starts with a quick check-in.

Here’s how you can start paying closer attention…today:

1.      Log your energy, sleep, and mood for 3 days. Patterns tell a story.

2.      Check your posture. Stand against a wall If your head’s forward and shoulders rounded, it may be causing more than just stiffness. Check out this Taylor Method Podcast

3.      Do a body awareness test. Close your eyes. From head to toe, what feels tight, heavy, or just “off”?

4.      Try a breathing test. Lie down with one hand on your chest and one on your belly. If your chest rises more, you may be stuck in shallow, stress-induced breathing.

5.      Ask: What have I been ignoring? That tight shoulder? That persistent fatigue? Bring it into the light.

So whether it’s a mystery couple at Blaze or a mystery pain in your back, don’t just wonder…ask.

Run the self-checks. Listen to your body. And if something’s been bugging you for a while, consider this your gentle nudge to get it looked at.

It might be a simple fix. And it’s always better to know.

Because let’s be real:

Cringing for a moment is way better than second-guessing for weeks.

Dr. Derek “Do I Know You?” Taylor

www.drderektaylor.com
(561) 867-1020

P.S. Speaking of posture, I recently interviewed a specialist who breaks down how forward head posture and tech neck are quietly messing with your sleep, energy, and focus. You can check it out at the link below:
Tune in here: Taylor Method for Pain-Free Living Podcast